Toe Loops Tips From Olympic Coach (Audrey Weisiger)

Audrey Weisiger discusses various aspects of the single, double and triple toe loop. Keep in mind that Audrey has taught at every level in skating and even with her extensive experience at the elite level, notice how much stress she places on correct grassroots or developmental teaching. As Audrey notes, correct technique on the single provides a solid foundation for doubles, triples, and even quads. Without correct technique on the single, a skater is often unable to proceed and accomplish the higher level jumps.

Audrey recommends performing toe loops from a variety of entrances. She explains some of the ones she uses and likes to challenge her skaters with. Audrey notes, “I have a lot of skaters that will say to me ‘Oh, I can’t do it that way.’ Well then I say ‘You don’t have a good toe loop take-off.'”

Audrey discusses the reach back and explains where the toe should go into the ice. So many toe loops have twisted, curly, and spinny take-offs. Audrey explains how to do it correctly, including how to place the toe on the ice to allow a more fluid pivot through the take-off.

Audrey offers the valuable concept of thinking of the skating foot (non-picking foot) being on a runway. It continues straight right up into the air. Audrey also notes that the skating foot comes off the heel of the blade and the leg remains straight, contrary to the common misconception of an h-position. This is one of the biggest errors currently being taught by learn-to-skate and developmental coaches throughout the United States. These coaches are teaching a lifting of the knee as the skater lifts up into the air, but in reality, no top skater lifts their knee. The leg remains straight as it comes through and after take-off.

Audrey also uses the concept she calls “the invisible three turn” to help skaters understand the take-off movement. By explaining it as a back outside three turn (half on the ice, half in the air) followed by a forward inside three turn in the air, all on a straight line, Audrey can minimize the tendency for skaters to spin around the toe pick.

As with all good coaches, Audrey also focuses on correct head placement/movement. Audrey uses the term “nose over toes” to illustrate what she wants. She also discusses the shoulder position at the moment of impact to allow absorption of the rotational forces. Audrey makes it clear the skater should not make impact with the shoulders in a “neutral” position.

Quiz question: What should the toe pick mark in the ice look like on a good toe loop? (Watch the video to find out.)

To more clearly see the the details of the jumps in the video above, here is a video of just the jumps which includes slow motion to allow you to stop the video during critical moments to see the positions that Audrey is talking about. Here are some things to look for:

1. The skating foot comes off the heel.
2. The skating leg is straight and the knee is not lifted at take-off or any time during the jump.
3. The free foot is flexed after leaving the ice and remains flexed during the fastest part of the rotation. This is particularly clear on the triple.
4. The head stays in “nose over toes” position and does not pre-rotate during the take-off movements(single through triples is same!)
5. The shoulders lag the overall rotation at the moment of impact allowing the skater to absorb rotational energy during the landing.
6. Also notice that angle of the skater’s body away from the jump at the moment of lift-off. Although Audrey did not mention it in her discussion above, this is critical for doubles and triples and it often surprising to coaches and skaters that do not watch video.